Sermons on Ancient Ruins:

How To Return To God Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Prodigals still exist. These individuals rebel, stepping away from God’s blessings, indulging in reckless living and ruining their lives. But God runs to meet those who are at the point of total desperation and who are willing to repent and return home.

How to Return to God Luke 15:11–24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION The parable in this passage focuses on the character and nature of the God of the Bible. It’s usually called the parable of the Prodigal Son but I prefer to call it the parable of the Loving Father. Jesus uses this story to teach ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Fooled By Appearances Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 7, 2007

The Israelites had returned from captivity to find their city and their temple in ruins. They rebuilt what they could, but they became despondant because they weren’t wealthy enough to restore the temple to its former glory. However, God gave them insight

OPEN: An old farmer was about to die and he called his 2 sons to his bedside. He said, "Boys, my farm and the fields are yours. You each have equal shares. I leave you a little ready money, but the bulk of my wealth is hidden somewhere in the ground of the farm. I’m not sure anymore quite where it ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Moves Our Cheese

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

If we prayerfully look at our own lives, and especially at the times when somebody “moved our cheese” and inconvenienced ourselves, I think we can almost always see the finger of God at work amid the ruins of our plans.

“Der mentsh trakht un Got lakht.” The stark Yiddish proverb is true: man plans; God laughs. Now there’s many ways to interpret the saying. A politician might work for years on a piece of legislation that looked like the smartest thing for the greatest number of people, only to see it shot down in ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Character Study Of Judas Iscariot Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 25, 2025

Judas Iscariot's life is a tragic reminder of how greed, hypocrisy, and unrepented sin can lead to destruction. Despite being chosen by Jesus, he allowed the love of money and Satan’s influence to ruin his destiny.

CHARACTER STUDY OF JUDAS ISCARIOT – BETRAYED JESUS FOR THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 26:14-16 "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ So they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, John 12:4-6, Matthew 27:3-5, Acts 1:16-20, Psalm 41:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Facing The Giants Series

Contributed by Larry Pozza on Apr 25, 2007

A sermon following the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Facing the Giants Isaiah 58 Introduction A. This past week has confirmed to us once again that there are giants in the land. We often forget about them until they raise their ugly head and shout out to us from the street. a. Like Goliath starred down the Israelites in the valley of Elah (1 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fasting As Taught By Jesus

Contributed by George Barton on Jan 22, 2006

CLARIFIES WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT FASTING

FASTING AS TAUGHT BY JESUS Study the following four points concerning fasting, and the texts which illustrate them. 1. Jewish people, including John the Baptist and Jesus, and Gentiles, strongly influenced by Jewish traditions, practiced fasting in New Testament times. (Mat 4:1 NIV) Then Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:29

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And… Renounce The Darkness: Following Christ In A World Of Spiritual Deception Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 30, 2025

The world is fascinated by the spiritual—yet blinded to the truth of the Spirit of God.

Go! And… Renounce the Darkness: Following Christ in a World of Spiritual Deception Key Texts: Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 20:1–5; Deuteronomy 17:2–7; Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 4:19; Jeremiah 10:2 (NLT) Introduction: A Sobering Warning for Our Times How many of you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:20, Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:27, Leviticus 20:1-5, Deuteronomy 17:2-7, Deuteronomy 4:19, Jeremiah 10:2, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Colossians 1:13-14, Colossians 2:13-15, 1 John 3:8, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Day Of Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 23, 2022

Would you baptize someone on Halloween? One preacher refused to do that because he saw Halloween as a focus on death... and he didn't want the young girl he was baptizing to become confused by the aura of death in the season, and having that connection ruin her walk with Christ.

Ordinarily I read a Scripture before each sermon because anything the Bible says is more important than what I have to say. But today I'm not going to do that. The text will still be there in the body of the sermon, but I'm not reading first because I don't want to spoil the surprise. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Agenda Anxiety Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2001

When Jesus speaks to the church, as to ancient Jerusalem, he gives us agenda anxiety, for we fear that we are not going to get done what we want to do, since his agenda is far different.

The campaigns are over. So are the celebrations and the inaugural balls. The toasts, the handshakes, the good wishes are about to fade into memory. Today, for George Walker Bush, the work begins. Today, the list of things to do takes on shape. Today, the agenda becomes different. Yesterday he ...read more

Scripture: John 7:14-46

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are You Going To Believe? Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jun 23, 2004

This is perhaps one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament. There is no doubt that this is the most difficult passage in first John. Scholars have debated this passage, commentators have commentated, even some who copied the ancient text of

Who are You going to Believe? 1 John 5:6—12 INTRODUCTION This is perhaps one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament. There is no doubt that this is the most difficult passage in first John. Scholars have debated this passage, commentators have commentated, even some who copied the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why A Christian Should Not Celebrate Halloween

Contributed by Ronnie Thrower on Oct 25, 2001

Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?

WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN Halloween is an annual celebration, but just what is it actually a celebration of? And how did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual? In North ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

A People Of Blessing

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 17, 2011

God wants His people to be “A Blessed People.” Happily this blessing is not restricted in usage or potency to God’s ancient people but brings great joy, grace, and peace to Christians as well.

NUMBERS 6: 22-27 A PEOPLE OF BLESSING [2 Corinthians 13:14 / Ephesians 1:3] God wants His people to be “A Blessed People.” A blessing is God’s way of asking for His divine favor to rest upon others. This benediction before us is most beautiful. The ancient blessing evoked in ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Huldah The Prophetess & The Power Of God's Word Series

Contributed by Calvin Miles on Aug 25, 2024

Huldah the Prophetess. Her story is brief but profound, showcasing the role of women in leadership and prophecy in ancient Israel. This study will delve into Huldah's significant yet often overlooked contribution to the spiritual renewal of Judah.

"Huldah the Prophetess". Her story is brief but profound, showcasing the role of women in leadership and prophecy in ancient Israel. This study will delve into Huldah's significant yet often overlooked contribution to the spiritual renewal of Judah. "Sermon: Huldah the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:8-20

Pharaoh Inclines To Let The People Go But Yet Is Hardened. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 26, 2022

Pharaoh and the Egyptian people could no longer endure this plague of flies. From the ancient history of such creatures being so bothersome, we know that people have been obliged to abandon their homes and seek new ones.

Pharaoh Inclines To Let The People Go But Yet Is Hardened. Ex. 8:25-32 Ex. 8:25-32 25Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land." 26But, Moses said, "That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the LORD our God would be ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

When The Fire Fails And The Whisper Comes

Contributed by Ava Ch on Aug 26, 2025

rguably the greatest prophet in ancient Israel, Elijah is a perfect example of how narcissism can mess you up. It is in today’s reading that the seer has an astonishing “aha” moment that will change his life forever.

“There are only two ways to live your life,” Albert Einstein once said. “One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.” We live in an age where many live as though they themselves are the miracle. Ours is a world of self-promotion. Instagram. TikTok. A culture of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-15